AN: I made a mistake and took out dialogue last chapter where Mr. Bennet says the girls can go to the assembly on certain conditions, since assemblies are less formal than balls. It is added back in now. Some of you have good questions that I cannot answer yet, but have no fear, they will be answered. One question does get answered in this chapter. I finally have a Beta! A Special thank you to ElizabethAnneSoph for helping me edit this story! Onwards to the assembly.
Chapter 9
Outside Meryton
October 15th 1811
Darcy rode his horse just so he would not have to be in the company of Miss Bingley. He was in a foul mood and did not want to be around his friend's sister and all of her insistent fawning. Darcy did not want upset his friend's sister, especially if he had to live with her for the next few months. Riding also gave him a chance to clear his mind. All he could think of was his sister's vast change in character after being taken in by that blackguard, Wickham, earlier this summer. He hoped her new companion was making progress, but he ultimately knew that she needed someone to confide in, like a sister. Maybe it was time for him to find a wife, he thought to himself. But then, he thought again, the women of the ton were all the same: superficial. No woman of the ton would care about his sister or her reputation. Darcy was contemplating in deep thought when Miss Bingley called out to him.
"Mr. Darcy! We are going to stop for tea soon."
Darcy groaned internally. He just wanted to get to Netherfield and take to his rooms to be alone. He responded with, "You may stop, but I will ride ahead, for I am anxious to be at Netherfield."
Miss Bingley quickly responded with, "We do not have to stop; I can have the cook make refreshments as soon as we arrive."
Darcy had already started to gallop to Netherfield and did not hear Miss Bingley's response.
"Oh sister, I did not expect him to be in such a rush to arrive in the backwoods of nowhere with no society. How can he not see what an exemplary hostess of Pemberley I will be?" Miss Bingley said to Mrs. Hurst.
"Caro, you are five and twenty now. If Darcy does not make you an offer, you should start looking elsewhere. You do not want to end up on the shelf," replied Mrs. Hurst.
"And be married to such a man as you are?" Caroline replied, looking at Mr. Hurst who was fast asleep and snoring.
"Yes, being a spinster is not a good fate. You shall see," retorted Mrs. Hurst.
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Longbourn
October 15th 1811
Mr. Bennet was walking towards his sister's room to inform her of the incident with the girls and their punishment, but he stopped and decided to go downstairs and get a glass of port before informing her. He went into his study, poured a glass of port, and closed the door.
As Robert sat in his study, he thought about the last conversation he had with his father, along with the promise he made almost two years ago.
"Robert," his father said in a weak voice.
"Father, you should be resting."
"I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"I failed as a father in raising Fanny; I let her grow up too unrestricted," Henry said weakly.
"Father, there is nothing you can do now."
"I cannot change her behaviour, but you can." Henry coughed.
Robert looked at his father, bewildered. "You cannot mean you want me to guide them? Would not Sophia be the better one to ask?"
"It has to be you; your sister has helped enough. Walter told me he is sick and dying, like me. He does not have an heir -- his nephew will surely put Fanny out in the hedgerows." Henry cleared his throat and continued. "In my will, I left money to support Fanny and the girls after Walter passes." Henry stopped to catch his breath. "In order to receive it they have to learn how to behave like proper gentlewomen." Henry stopped to cough again. "They will not know about the money."
"How long do they have?"
"Eighteen months after their mourning period. If they do not change, you can put them in a cottage with Fanny's dowry." Henry coughed.
"Alright, father, I will try. Now get some rest," Robert responded hugging his father one last time.
"Robert, I'm proud of you and the man you have become." Henry started having a coughing fit and soon fell asleep.
Fanny's loud screeching voice pierced through the air as she rushed into the study interrupting Roberts's thoughts. "Mr. Bennet! How can you punish dear Lydia and Kitty? You said they could attend the ball!"
"I said they could go if they behaved like ladies of their station! Stealing a dress is not behaving like a lady! Say another word and you will be staying home from the assembly as well," Mr. Bennet roared.
Fanny looked at Mr. Bennet and decided against saying anything else. "Leave my study and send Mrs. Govern in."
Moments later, Mrs. Govern appeared in the study.
"Mrs. Govern, where were you earlier when Kitty and Lydia went into Mary's room?" asked Robert.
"I was resting, sir; I was fatigued after travelling, but you sent me out with Miss Kitty ad Miss Lydia to make calls, and I still was supposed to attend the ball with the girls later."
Mr. Bennet recalled the events of his afternoon and realized his mistake. "Mrs. Govern, you may take the night off I will take care of my family tonight at the assembly. Go rest, please."
Mrs. Govern left, and Mr. Bennet rang for Mrs. Hill. Mrs. Hill entered her master's study.
"Mrs. Hill, please keep watch over Kitty and Lydia tonight. Mrs. Govern has the night off. They are not allowed out for any reason."
"Will do sir," replied Mrs. Hill.
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The Bennets were dressed and ready for departure. Jane was a vision in her blue silk gown, Lizzy was very becoming in her light green satin gown with pink flower embroidery at the waist and Mary was quite pretty in a pink satin gown. Mr. Bennet wore tan trousers and blue tailcoat. They were all waiting for one more member of their party, Mrs. Bennet.
"Jane, go tell your Aunt that if she does not come down his instant we will be leaving her and I will send he carriage back to get her."
Jane walked upstairs to her Aunt's room where she had her ladies' maid, Sarah, trying out new French hairstyles.
"Aunt Bennett, Father says he will leave, and send the carriage back for you, if you do not come down this instant," Jane said.
"Oh pish posh, I will be down soon enough."
Jane told her father her aunt's response and he told the girls they were leaving and piled into the carriage.
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Netherfield Park
October 15th 1811
Only three miles away, a similar situation was happening. Bingley, Darcy and Hurst were waiting for Caroline and Louisa to finish getting dressed for the assembly. They had already been waiting a quarter of an hour.
"Bingley, tell your sisters to come down now or you will leave them."
"Darcy, I am sure they will not mind us being a few moments late. Since when are you so eager to get to a social event?"
"I am not eager; I do not want to walk in late and have everyone stare at me all at once."
"They will stare at all of us; we are new to the neighbourhood," Bingley responded.
After another quarter-hour Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were both finally ready and the Netherfield party was able to leave.
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Meryton
October 15th, 1811
The Netherfield party was late and got there just before the first set. Mr. Bingley, upon arrival, was considered good-looking and gentlemanlike with easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were determined to be fine women, with airs. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst was called a gentleman, but overlooked due to his marital status. His friend, Mr. Darcy, was considered tall and handsome and had all of the attention he did not want. Soon he drew even more attention of the room by the circulation of his having ten thousand a year and owning half of Derbyshire.
He went with Bingley who was making introductions. He met the Longs, the Gouldings, the Lucases, the Pratts and the Smiths. Bingley said to Darcy, "There is one more family you have yet to meet, and have not even met the entire family; they are our neighbours, the Bennets."
Mr. Bingley approached Mr. Bennet with Darcy trailing behind and introduced Darcy to Bennet. "Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, Mr. Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire."
The gentlemen bowed to each other and Mr. Bennet said, "Gentlemen, may I introduce you to my daughters, Miss Bennet and Miss Mary. My second daughter Miss Elizabeth is over there talking to her friend, Miss Lucas." Darcy and Bingley looked over to the area and at the back of a woman with dark brown hair and one unruly brown curl at her nape of her neck.
Bingley was immediately smitten with Miss Bennet and asked her to dance with him the next set.
Darcy was largely uncomfortable with the attention and remained off to the side brooding, thinking of Georgiana, and seriously considering finding a wife this year, when Bingley returned after the set and said, "Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."
"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room with whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."
"I would not be as fastidious as you," cried Mr. Bingley, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."
"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."
"Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, and he withdrew his own and coldly said: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."
Charlotte and Lizzy were close enough to Darcy and Bingley to overhear their conversation, and Charlotte said to Lizzy, "Count your blessings, Lizzy. If he liked you, you'd have to talk to him."
Elizabeth replied, walking past the gentlemen, "Precisely. He is so rude; as it is, I would not dance with him for all of Derbyshire, let alone the miserable half."
"Elizabeth, follow me!" Mr. Bennet's voice boomed from behind her.
When Lizzy turned around, her father was glaring at her along with a red faced Mr. Darcy and a laughing Mr. Bingley.
"Please excuse us, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley," Mr. Bennet said pulling Lizzy to the side of the room to talk.
"Elizabeth, what has gotten into you, my child? You must to apologize to Mr. Darcy."
"But, papa, he insulted me first!" Lizzy said, frustrated.
"Elizabeth! Enough! This is not how a gentlewomen acts. Apologize now!"
Elizabeth walked away from her father and towards Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley with her head held high, letting her courage rise to the occasion. "Mr. Darcy, I beg your pardon for my comments earlier. They were quite unlady like."
Darcy stared at Elizabeth, not responding. Bingley glared at Darcy. "Miss Elizabeth, 'tis quite alright, I myself was in a foul mood and made some very unkind comments about you." Bingley nudged him. He continued on, "Do you by chance have the next set free?"
Elizabeth knew that if she said no, she would have to sit out the remainder of the night. Right now it was only the third set. Elizabeth thought to herself: I would rather sit out the remainder of the night then have to dance with this hateful man; his friend is forcing him to ask me to dance. Finally Elizabeth said to Darcy, "I am quite fatigued and am going to sit."
Elizabeth turned and quickly walked away, but she was caught by Mr. Darcy in three long strides.
"Miss Elizabeth, please, I did not mean what I said earlier, and I am sorry if I wounded you."
Elizabeth looked up into Darcy's blue pleading eyes and gave in. "Lead the way."
News of Darcy's comment had spread around the assembly like wildfire, so when Darcy led Elizabeth to the end of the line of dancers, everyone was shocked, especially Miss Bingley, who was dancing with Mr. Lucas against her wishes.
Darcy and Elizabeth had been dancing in silence for a few moments when Elizabeth addressed him. "Mr. Darcy, I know his may be an impertinent question for such a new acquaintance, why are you in such a disagreeable mood?"
"It is not." He hesitated for a moment and then continued, "I have a sister who is at a trying age. She lost confidence in herself; I know not how to reassure her."
"That is easy. You just need to reassure her of your support."
Darcy contemplated her advice and Elizabeth decided to change the subject.
"How long do you plan to be in the county?" inquired Elizabeth.
Darcy replied, "Our plans are not fixed, but I suspect it will be a while. I am helping Bingley settle into his estate."
After he replied there was again silence. After a pause of some minutes, Elizabeth addressed him again. "It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I inquired about your stay and you ought to make some sort of remark on the beauty of the county, or ask of the local treasures."
He smiled and said, "This county is quite attractive."
"Attractive? As in, more than tolerable?"
"Yes, Hertfordshire has its beauty." Darcy said, looking in Elizabeth's eyes. "Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?"
"Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together. But now we may be silent."
Soon they finished their dance together and Mr. Darcy escorted her back to her Father. Mr. Darcy walked across the room to find Mr. Bingley. They were standing together when Sir Lucas approached them followed by an older woman with greying blonde hair.
"Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley I have someone who wants to make your acquaintance, May I present Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennet's sis- "
"Mr. Bingley! It is so nice to meet you, I have heard much about you: so kind, so amiable, and so excessively handsome! And your sisters are charming women. And Mr. Darcy, you're so tall and handsome. You must call at Longbourn and stay for dinner, so you can meet my daughters Kitty and Lydia! They are so pretty and lively," said Mrs. Bennet loudly in her piercing voice
At that moment Mr. Bennet came over and interrupted Mrs. Bennett. "Mrs. Bennett, Lady Lucas needs your opinion on some lace." Mrs. Bennett excused herself to attend to her friend and Mr. Bennet followed. Mr. Darcy was greatly relieved and Mr. Bingley looked still as amiable as ever. The remainder of the assembly passed by uneventfully and the guests left after having a great night.
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Longbourn
October 16th 1811
When they arrived back at Longbourn, everyone retired except Mrs. Bennett, who started to ramble about the ball to Kitty and Lydia.
"Oh! My dear Lydia and Kitty," as she entered the room, "we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Jane was so admired, and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice! He actually danced with her twice! And she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time. If you had been there dear Lydia, I am sure he would have asked you instead of Jane. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand up with her! But, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going down the dance. So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next. I am sure that once he meets you he will be struck by your beauty, dear Lydia, and forget Jane."
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Meanwhile Jane, Lizzy and Mary gathered in Jane's room to gossip about the assembly.
"Mr. Bingley declared his preference for you immediately, Jane. What was your impression of the gentleman?" asked Mary.
"He is just what a young man ought to be," said she, "sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!"
"And handsome. I approve, you have liked many a stupider person," Lizzy added.
"And Lizzy, you and Mr. Darcy had a horrid start, but finished amiably," Mary said.
"Yes, he acted so high and mighty, but then he was agreeable during our dance. I do not know what to make of him," Lizzy replied.
"You can always declare the character of new acquaintances; I fear you may have met your match, Lizzy," added Jane.
"I can sketch his character, I just need more time," Lizzy replied.
Lizzy and Mary soon departed and went back to their room to sleep.
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Nerherfield Park
October 16th 1811
Three miles away, Bingley was raving to Darcy about Jane.
"Such an angel, she is so beautiful."
"Miss Watson? Miss Abigail? Miss Westfield? Miss Beth? Miss Stone? Miss Sarah?"
Bingley scowled at Darcy. "Miss Bennet."
"Oh, Bingley, you must admit you have called many a woman an angel."
"Miss Bennet is different."
"You have said that before."
"She is different; I shall show you how wrong you are."
"She may be different, but her mother is absolutely ridiculous," retorted Darcy.
"Her mother is a bit loud and forward," replied Bingley slightly conceding to Darcy.
"A bit? She is just as bad as Mrs. Westfield with her forwardness and lack of propriety."
"It was not that bad, she was just excited to have new neighbours. I'm sure she will be more subdued next time we meet."
"I hope so," Darcy grumbled.
AN: The Netherfield party thinks that Mrs. Bennett is married to Mr. Bennet, because their names only differ in spelling and because of gossip. In her introduction, Fanny cuts off Sir Lewis who was about to tell the Netherfield party she is Mr. Bennet's sister. The Netherfield party (Darcy, The Bingleys and The Hurst's) will refer to Fanny as the all girls' mother and Lydia and Kitty as Bennet girls' sisters. (Like in cannon) Make sure you pay attention. Please review.
